Northwest Youth Services Interim CEO Lance Jones advocated for continued financial support for the embattled nonprofit during the Whatcom County Council meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 19, saying steps are being taken to rebuild trust and take accountability.
NWYS has faced a reckoning following former CEO Jason McGill’s unexpected resignation in September and subsequent investigations by Cascadia Daily News after serious allegations from former workers came to light.
The county budgeted about $845,000 for the nonprofit’s programs for homeless youth in 2024, while the City of Bellingham provided about $242,000. The funds, which include significant amounts in state grants, represent a portion of the nonprofit’s revenue; its most recent available tax documents, from 2022, reveal more than $5 million in revenue.
“We are taking thoughtful, definitive actions to rebuild trust, embrace accountability and center the needs of our young people,” Jones told the council. “We must shine an honest, intentional light from tomorrow’s direction, today’s footsteps and to yesterday’s footprints.”
CDN reporting revealed employee accusations against McGill ranged from creating a culture of fear within the organization by weaponizing social justice language, to “inappropriate relationships” with current and past clients.
The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families is investigating the allegations of “inappropriate relationships.” The nonprofit’s board of directors began a separate investigation into McGill, confirming it is “working closely” with DCYF.
However, the board has also faced criticism for its actions, or lack of accountability, when concerns were raised by staff about McGill and his leadership over the years.
Established in 1976 to help homeless youth, NWYS provides a variety of housing services and programming for youth ages 13-24 in Skagit and Whatcom counties. It boasted in its annual impact report of serving 1,205 clients in 2023 and has received funding from the City of Bellingham, Washington state and the federal government in addition to money provided by the county.
“I will continue to support NWYS as they provide critical services to our Whatcom County youth and young adults,” County Council member Kaylee Galloway told Cascadia Daily News on Tuesday. “Whatcom County cannot do this work alone; we rely heavily on our nonprofit service providers like NWYS to help meet our collective community needs. “
Galloway noted that it would be beneficial to have more regular presentations and reports on outcomes and impacts from county contracts, such as those it has with NWYS.
“Ensuring county oversight and accountability is important and we want to make sure goals are being met and we are seeing a return on investment for our community,” she said.
In a letter submitted to the council earlier Tuesday, Jones, a previous board member who was named interim CEO on Oct. 1, said the organization has “fallen short” but is “doing better.” He explained in the letter that it is his job to find a way to “harvest growth from any past missteps or misdirection.”
The letter outlines steps taken by the organization following CDN’s ongoing investigations, including digitizing its tracking of programs’ day-to-day operations to ensure grant compliance, reliable data for reporting and ensuring the best outcomes for the young people served.
The organization also touted its efforts to cut costs.
“We lowered expenses and flattened our organizational structure,” the letter stated, noting that the NWYS has terminated some contracts and fired some personnel.
Among those employees who were let go was Remy Styrkowicz, then-director of radical intervention. In a lengthy letter sent to the board of directors in October, staff detailed a wide array of accusations against Styrkowicz, ranging from the misallocation of funds and unaddressed human-resource complaints to a lack of connection with homeless youth. The document, obtained by CDN, was signed by more than 25 people, though nearly half signed with an “X” due to fears of retaliation.
Styrkowicz was not immediately available for comment.
Michelle Harmeier, who attended the county council meeting on Tuesday but did not speak, remains the board president of the organization.
However, Jones’ letter to the council noted that the board of directors is actively recruiting new members.
“As the days grow wetter, darker, and colder, all of Whatcom’s young people need us,” Jones reminded the council.
A previous version of this misstated Remy Styrkowicz’s title. This story was updated to reflect the change at 2:55 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2024. Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
